Relatively frost-resistant varieties of tangerine (after all, this is a subtropical crop) can withstand frosts down to -7– -12 ˚С. Then the skeletal branches are damaged.
Therefore, the northernmost edge of the range barely covers the southern edge of the territory of the former Union: the Black Sea coast, Azerbaijan, Georgia. But you can grow a tangerine tree from a seed at home. At the same time, it is no longer so important what latitudes you live at: a blizzard, if it is raging outside the window, is not a hindrance.
The photo shows tangerine trees growing in the garden and those grown at home.
Planting material, planting
A tangerine purchased at a nursery or store will soon delight you with tasty small fruits. But a tangerine tree grown by yourself will please you much more. There are several ways to plant a plant that will bear fruit if well cared for.
Growing a tangerine tree from a seed
Most affordable way: It’s not a problem to remove the pit from the fruit. It germinates for about a month, but the substrate should not dry out. At first it grows very slowly. It is good to germinate in a special gel.
It makes sense to first plant it in a relatively small pot; if it develops well, replanting in the future is not a problem. Do not expect exactly the same fruits as the original: this is only possible with vegetative propagation.
Growing from cuttings
Tangerine has poor rooting ability. To increase it, you can cover it on top, for example, with a cropped plastic bottle or glass jar. This will increase the humidity in the air near the cutting. The substrate should not dry out! It is convenient to treat the cutting itself with giberilin before planting; the stimulator is available in any garden store. 
Another little trick: the cut of the cutting must be renewed under water before planting. This pruning prevents clogging of the conductive bundles with air.
Grafting on other citrus fruits
Most often, an orange seedling is used as a rootstock. The vaccination is done by budding, the requirements are the same as for any garden trees. That is: during a slight separation of the bark from the wood (usually in June); without touching the cambium with your fingers (tiny particles of fat from the fingers reduce survival rate); carefully wrapping the grafting site with a strip of polyethylene to prevent drying out. In spring and autumn they are grafted into clefts.
The cambium (thin strip of dividing cells between the bark and wood) of the scion and scion must match!
If you don’t have the skill, you should first get your hands on any other crop or just branches. The operation requires care. Just information: with a perfectly done graft, the pear will take root on the willow, as in the saying. True, then it dries up, so you won’t get any fruit.
When grafted or grown from cuttings varietal characteristics are completely preserved: the properties of the mother plant exactly repeat the tangerine tree grown at home. 
Care between a grafted rootstock and one grown from seed at home tangerine tree differs little. The only difference is the removal of shoots from the rootstock and protection from breaking off at first: with physical impact it can break at the grafting site.
Caring for tangerines at home
Fertilizer
It is clear that when growing in a container, everything needed by the plant substances come from a small volume of soil. There cannot be enough of them there, so regular feeding is required. The easiest way is to use a solution of complex fertilizer. It is convenient to water with mullein diluted 1:10. How larger size container, the easier it is to ensure proper development: the greater the supply of nutrients in the soil.
If something is missing specific element(signs of deficiency of different elements manifest themselves in different ways), this is what needs to be added. In winter, during dormancy, we fertilize with half the norm or do not fertilize at all. We additionally fertilize in the summer when the fruits are filling. Fertilizing at this time increases the sugar content and reduces the bitterness of the fruit.
Rest period
The tangerine does not shed its leaves; they stay on the tree for four years. Therefore, the “rest” is not absolute: the tree seems to be dozing. But this period is important; without it, there will be no fruit. Therefore, in winter it is necessary to maintain it at a temperature of 8-12 ˚С and reduced. There are often recommendations to supplement the lighting with special lamps at this time... although in winter the days are short and even less light gets into the apartment, when the mandarin is at rest, it is enough. Extra fuss around the bush is usually not worth it.
Watering
The soil should not dry out, even when dormant. But stagnation of water is also harmful to the roots. To get out of such a contradictory situation, it is good to put a layer of shards, gravel or other large materials on the bottom of the container when planting. Then it is easier to keep the soil moist, but not too moist. Excess water flows down, where it does not harm the roots as much. And yet it is there, the soil will not dry out completely. It is better to water with settled water: there is no harmful temperature difference; Chlorine evaporates, harming the plant.
Transfer
This is still a tree; it begins to bear fruit only in the 4th-5th year and grows for many more years. You can’t just plant it in a huge container - it looks stupid, and it takes up a lot of space disproportionate to the size of the sprout. And if there is not enough space for roots to grow, they are not able to provide for the plant. Therefore, you will have to replant many times as soon as the roots entwine a lump of earth. The work is carried out carefully; in order to avoid unnecessary injury and breaking of roots, it is necessary to water abundantly before replanting.
Lighting
Mandarin loves a lot of light, the easiest way is to place it near a south window - you don’t have to add more light. If we take the bush out into the garden in the summer, then in the first days only for a few hours. Or first we put it in the shade, for example, under a large fruit tree. By the way, in the summer, when it’s hot, it’s also worth shading, at least during the hottest hours. And to reduce the evaporation of water from the container, place mulch on the surface.
Pollination
This is quite simple: not required. Self-fertile culture.
Caring for tangerine trees at home brings joy to touching a small miracle... Greens and fruits, the aroma of citrus filling the apartment against the backdrop of bad weather outside the window pleases the soul and cheers the heart.
Citrus grafting technique - video
Planting one on your windowsill seems like an impossible task for many. We are constantly afraid that the citrus family requires unique care that will consume all of our time and finances. Indeed, some of these plants require careful supervision, but this does not particularly concern the tangerine. This fruit is completely unpretentious and hardy enough for our climate. Therefore, after reading our article, choose the best cultivation method for you and feel free to start planting the overseas fruit. We will tell you below how to choose and grow tangerines from seeds at home.
Choosing a place for a tangerine
If you decide to grow a tangerine, the first thing you need to do is choose a place for the tree. Indoors can grow both on the windowsill and on the balcony. To date, breeders have bred a lot dwarf plants, but ordinary tangerine trees can also be given the desired shape.
The place for planting a tree at home is chosen in the same way as on. The site must be well lit with little direct light sun rays . If there is insufficient lighting, the tangerine will slow down its growth and may not bloom at all. Therefore, to grow a tangerine, choose southern part premises, but so that at noon the tree can be slightly shaded.
Temperature
To keep tangerines indoors, it is necessary to maintain a certain temperature. In summer, the optimal temperature indicators for growing a tree should be +20...+25°C. When the plant begins to bloom or buds appear on it, it is advisable to prevent them from falling off the flowers by lowering the temperature no higher than +20 °C.
In winter, to improve future flowering, citrus mandarin is better leave without much movement. Temperature in winter period contents can vary from +5 °C to +10°C. By observing such temperature conditions, you can easily grow tangerines from seeds at home.
Mandarin is very important point with his growth. In insufficient light, the tree is lagging behind in development and there is a high risk of getting modest blooms. In summer, young tangerines can be gradually exposed to open air so that the plant gradually gets used to the environment. But at noon you will have to hide it from direct sunlight.
In winter, when daylight hours are quite short, the tangerine must be placed in the brightest place in the room. It happens that a young tree may not have enough lighting. Here a phytolamp will come to the rescue, which is screwed into a regular table lamp or a chandelier. Start off You need to highlight the tangerine gradually, otherwise, with a sharp change in daylight hours, the plant may lose its leaves.
Air humidity
Mandarin does not tolerate dry air. Therefore, to maintain sufficient humidity, it is recommended to place containers of water around the container. As the temperature rises, the plant needs to be additionally moistened, sometimes several times a day. In winter, it is better to spray, but only when it dries.
Choosing a container or container for planting
It is recommended to choose dishes for planting tangerines based on its size. Remember for better growth its trees will need to be replanted every year. Do not immediately choose a large pot, as it will be too large space may lead to root rot.
The best containers for tangerines are small ones. wooden boxes or pots from natural materials. When planting, don't forget the good things. Pebbles, expanded clay, and the remains of a bat are great for this role. ceramic tableware and even foam. Mandarin does not like stagnant moisture in the soil, which can also lead to root rot.
Important! Every week, inspect the shoots, as well as the trunk and leaves of the tree for bacterial or pest infestation.
Soil for tangerine
As with growing in open ground, indoor tangerine does not love acidic soils . Therefore, choosing ready mixture For planting in the store, pay attention to the substrate.
If you don’t trust purchased substrates, you can prepare the soil for planting yourself. To do this, take turf and leaf soil, washed river sand and a little. Keep the proportions 1:1:0.5. From these components, light, well-permeable soil is obtained, which the tangerine loves so much.
Planting, propagation and replanting of tangerines
When growing tangerine citrus at home, there are several ways to propagate it: cuttings, grafting, and the most popular method today - seeding. But how to properly plant and grow a tangerine from a seed so that the tree bears fruit?
First of all, you need to understand that when using this method, you should expect results no earlier than six years later. An even more difficult method of propagation is cuttings, since when using it it is extremely rare to grow tangerines at home.
At the same time, tangerine grafting is considered one of the proven options. At home, it is grafted onto orange or grapefruit seedlings. In addition, many gardeners are interested in how long does a tangerine grow? This citrus tree is very durable and proper care will live more than thirty years.
Mandarin roots grow actively every year, which is why the plant needs annual replanting. After 5-6 years, they are replanted less frequently - once every two years. Transplantation must be carried out in the spring, before the active growth of the rhizome, and each time a flowerpot or pot is selected that is not much larger than the previous one. The best method for replanting a tangerine would be a transshipment method: try not to destroy the formed earthen lump.
Important! The roots of the plant should not be washed. Only when they are infected is rinsing allowed.
Vegetative methods of propagation
As we mentioned above, propagating tangerines at home, using the usual planting of cuttings, is almost impossible. Therefore, in order to grow a fruitful tree, tangerine cuttings are grafted to any other citrus plant.
To do this, you will need a bush that is one to two years old and a cutting of your choice. We take a citrus seedling and make a T-shaped cut at a distance of up to 10 cm above the soil. Then, lightly pressing the tip of the knife, we get a recess into which we insert our cutting.
After this, you need to coat the cut area with garden varnish and wrap it with PVC film or electrical tape. After grafting tangerines, you need to place them in or simply cover in a plastic bag. You can ventilate once a day, making sure that a peephole does not appear after vaccination.
Usually the cutting is grafted within a month, after which the greenhouse is removed and the electrical tape is loosened. After rooting, you can completely get rid of the stretched film. By growing tangerines using this propagation method, you have every chance of getting sweet and juicy fruits.
Did you know? For better tangerine growth, spray its leaves daily with warm water from a spray bottle.
Seed method
The easiest way to grow a tangerine is to plant a seed, and you already know about this. Therefore, buy several fruits in advance that have been properly stored, without freezing or direct sunlight, and select a dozen seeds from them. Then, rinse them thoroughly with running water and place them on a windowsill or other flat surface to dry.
When the seeds are dry, they need to be soaked for further germination: take a cotton cloth and wrap the seeds in it. The fabric should be damp for several days, but not floating in water.
After the seeds swell and sprouts begin to hatch, you can replant them in previously prepared soil. As soon as you plant the tangerine seed and the seedling grows a little, it needs to be transplanted into a container with a volume of about 4 liters.
Important! Be sure to take several grains at once for planting, since some tangerine seeds usually do not germinate.
Plant care
If you no longer have any questions about how to plant a tangerine, then all that remains is to provide it with proper care and wait for the fragrant fruits. For good tree growth do not forget about sufficient humidity in the summer. Give more light, but shade in hot sun, as tangerine leaves easily get burned.
Mandarin, just like lemon Tree, is quite common and popular. A houseplant is grown directly indoors. Botanists suggest that it was first grown in China or Japan.
Where did the plant get its name? In the past, it was grown in the gardens of mandarins, who were wealthy dignitaries at that time. At the beginning of the 19th century, tangerines began to appear in Europe. They were transported to Italy in 1840. After which the whole Mediterranean learned about this fruit.
The tangerine tree is distinguished by the fact that it ripens quickly and bears big harvest. It also has quite sweet fruits that do not have seeds. When did Ukraine see this beautiful tree? At the beginning of the 20th century, where the Black Sea is located. It is in this place that tangerine is most common at home.
The fruit tree can be called weak-growing. Its height reaches 3 meters. It has beautiful, eye-catching leaves. Their color is dark green, and their structure is quite dense and has small wings in the petiole area. The flowers are different wonderful aroma and white - they are beautifully located in the brushes. The fruits of the tree are spherical, flattened and have a diameter of up to 6 cm. Their weight is about 100 g.
The fruit has a thin orange peel that is easy to separate from the pulp. There are “plump” tangerines, the peel of which practically does not come into contact with the pulp, but has air gap. The sweet yellow-orange pulp is easy to divide into slices.
The fruit of the tree is rich in sugar, organic acids, and vitamins. It is rare to find seeds in the fruit. If you decide to plant a tangerine at home, then it requires a limited amount of light and fresh air. Not every variety of tangerine can grow indoors, so it is necessary to distinguish between these types. So, you can get early ripening tangerine trees, which are of Japanese origin. They are undersized and unpretentious.
Among the most common options is the Unshiu variety, which means seedless. He is short in stature - up to 1.5 meters. It has a spreading crown and the branches do not have thorns. The leaves are wide, leathery and dark green in color. The tree blooms profusely once a year. Tangerine from seeds at home has small white flowers with a pleasant aroma. When the tree is already 3 years old, it begins to bear fruit. If you take good care of an adult tree, you can get up to 50 fruits within a year.
This decorative look plants characterized by low growth. They are indoor varieties tangerines. Mature trees are usually no higher than 80 cm. This has made them popular among plants that are kept on the windowsill.
For an indoor tangerine tree there is no need to form a crown. However, from time to time it is necessary to remove branches that have dried out or grown incorrectly. The peculiarity of the dwarf mandarin is that it begins to bear fruit after two years of life. However, the size and taste of the fruits are the same as ordinary trees fruit.
Basics of planting and transplanting
In order to plant a plant, you need to take a suitable pot. Its material doesn't matter. But there is important condition, to top part the diameter did not exceed 15 cm, and the height should be the same. The bottom of the container should have one or more small holes, so that during watering excess water could have flowed off it.
The pot can be in the form of a plastic bucket, wooden, ceramic or glass container. It is necessary to place drainage at its bottom, which can be expanded clay or sand. Practice shows that drainage is best served by: charcoal after the fire. You should not make drainage more than 5 cm in height.
After selecting the drainage, you need to take a little soil to sprinkle it. Any soil will not work in this case. There are specially prepared types of soil, for example “Mandarin”. They can be purchased in specialized stores.
In some cases, you can do the soil preparation yourself. Where the old ones grow deciduous trees in the forest, take some soil. However, avoid areas where oak, poplar or chestnut trees grow. The soil is most fertile in the upper layers, the thickness of which is 10 cm. Additionally, you need to add sand, river sand, ash, humus, if available, will do. Dilute a glass of earth with a glass of sand, three tablespoons of humus and a tablespoon of ash, as well as a small amount of water. You should end up with a thick, sour cream-like mass. This will help avoid air voids near the root of the tree.
When six months have passed, you need to take a container that is 5 cm larger and transplant small tangerines there. When you have planted a tree, you need to spray it and water it with a weak potassium permanganate agent from time to time.
Prepare a place for the plant in advance. A window sill that is directed towards the light is suitable for this, so that enough sunlight falls on the leaves.
Propagation occurs when seedlings are grafted from other citrus fruits such as orange and lemon. Air layering is also used using this method. If you want to take cuttings from plants using amateur conditions, you will not succeed.
Important attention should be paid to lighting. The window on which you will keep the plant should be located on the south sunny side. When summer comes, take it outside to breathe. fresh air. This could be a veranda, garden or balcony. However, it is important that this place is protected from the wind.
It’s good if the plant grows on the south side, but it’s important not to forget summer time protect it from direct sunlight. This can damage the roots and crowns, and also cause burns on the tangerine itself from the seed at home. How to avoid this? Make a curtain of gauze and place it on the window where the tree stands. When you plan to leave the house, make it a rule to cover the glass with a curtain, especially on sunny days.
Temperature and watering the plant
Have you placed a tangerine on the windowsill? Then in winter you should take care of it by properly insulating the window. The pot with the tree itself is also insulated. In order for the tangerine to shoot buds and bloom, it is important to maintain the temperature to 18 degrees. There should also be suitable humidity - 60%. At the same time, you should not be afraid of high temperatures, because the plant has the ability to withstand up to 40 degrees of heat.
Now let's move on to the basics of watering. As it dries upper layer soil, it is necessary to water the plant. Under no circumstances should the lump of earth dry out in the pot. Every day, determine how wet the soil is by testing the surface layer of soil with your fingers. If during the inspection you notice that the soil sticks together, then it does not need watering, but if it begins to crumble, then watering is required.
Especially in the summer, it is important to monitor the condition of the soil. After all, due to the fact that the tree is affected heat and the bright sun, the earth often dries out. It is also worth remembering that not all water is suitable for irrigation.
If you have city apartment, then the water from it is not suitable for watering tangerines. This is explained by the fact that it contains alkaline earth metals, as well as chlorine. Such substances will only harm the plant. As a result, its leaves will suffer from chlorosis, and metabolic processes in the soil will be disrupted.
It's a good idea to boil the water every time, but you probably don't need that much trouble. Another good option is to use hot water from the tap, which contains less chlorine and, moreover, it is soft. Before watering the tree, leave the water in an open container for a day - then the chlorine will be completely removed from it. After all, this substance is destructive for any citrus fruit.
If you own a private home, then water from wells will do. However, the water found in a lake or stream is even better. Before watering, let it warm up a little at room temperature. Not suitable for watering rainwater, because it contains harmful impurities. What is the best way to care for tangerines in winter? Heat the water until it reaches 35 degrees. Then the tree will grow and bear fruit better. In summer, it is easier to deal with this issue by simply placing water on a window where there is more sun.
Watering alone is not enough for a tangerine tree. It needs to be sprayed once every day. clean water. You need to take care of this especially in the summer. Use a spray bottle or other means to create moisture. Thanks to this, there will be no dust on the leaves and they will be able to breathe. Also, once a month it is necessary to carry out the following procedure: place the plant in the bathtub, cover an area of soil with plastic film, while treating the entire plant with cotton wool and soap suds. This will allow you to forget about the hard work of pest control. However, remember that you need to take gauze or a bandage to bandage the tree trunk. This will prevent soapy water from getting into the soil.
What can you say about fertilizer? IN winter time there is no need to fertilize the tangerine. But in summer and spring this is done every two weeks. There are features that show how to properly fertilize. Do not start doing this before you have watered the plant, otherwise you will burn the roots. Moist soil is suitable for fertilizing.
How much should a tree be fertilized? Make sure there is enough of it and that it flows straight out of the drainage hole. In specialized stores you will see big choice fertilizers You can also use regular fish soup, which is suitable for a plant that is taller than one meter. Thanks to this feeding, it will begin to bear fruit better. But at the same time, do not neglect special fertilizers, such as Mandarin.
Mandarins can be damaged by sucking and gnawing pests, as well as fungi and viruses. You can often encounter spider mites and scale insects. Chemical and biological agents are used to combat them. However, this is the case if you plant the plant on open ground. It is better not to use pesticides within the apartment.
How can you determine that a plant needs care? For example, it may become covered with white dots. You may also see a reddish tick on it that moves quickly if you touch it. In addition, white cobwebs may appear on white leaves.
To combat such pests, use tobacco dust, garlic and laundry soap. One tablespoon of tobacco dust is poured with boiling water (one glass). All this must be insisted for 6 days. To this then add laundry soap. Spray the plant every 6 days. However, take a break for 6 days.
How to use garlic against pests? Mash the plant head and pour it hot water. Wait 2 days and strain the broth. You can spray the tangerine according to the same previous scheme.
What if you notice that your plant is covered in brownish-gray shiny growths? This means it is a scale insect infection. This can be dealt with using water-oil emulsions. Mix machine oil (1 teaspoon) with warm water (1 cup). To this add laundry soap (40 g) and washing powder(2 large spoons). When you treat a plant with this, be sure to use plastic film to cover the soil. Also use a bandage to bandage the trunk. Thanks to this, the emulsion will not get on the ground and damage it. For processing, you can use a cotton or gauze swab. Treat the entire surface and leaves of the plant. Then wait 4 hours and wash everything off. This procedure also needs to be done 3 times.
Thanks to such simple tips you will grow a beautiful plant.
Among the representatives of the Rutov family, one of the popular fruits is the tangerine. In Latin, the name of this evergreen plant is Citrus reticulate. Mandarin belongs to the group of citrus fruits, which also includes such well-known fruits as orange, lemon, grapefruit, etc. During its development, the plant can acquire different shape- a bush or tree with a height of 5 m.
Indoor tangerine
Behind last years The cultivation of tangerines has become widespread in artificial conditions for which devices such as greenhouses, conservatories and winter gardens . If you want to grow it evergreen You can do it at home on your balcony or windowsill. Created today a large number of varieties of dwarf and low-growing tangerines, which are ideal for these purposes, because when they reach the full phase of vegetative development, they have a height of no more than 0.6-1.1 m. If tangerines are grown at home regular varieties, then it requires pruning and shaping of the bush.
A tangerine grown in a pot can please any owner. Moreover, this is manifested not only in the formation of bright, appetizing fruits orange color, which can remain on the plant for several months. Many owners note the beautiful flowering of tangerine, because when the branches of the plant are covered with flowers white, it begins to emanate from them amazing aroma. There are certain varieties of tangerines that begin to bloom from spring until late autumn. A true masterpiece is the tangerine, grown using the bonsai technique.
One of the advantages of indoor tangerine is that artificial pollination is not required for the formation of its fruits. The moment of their ripening occurs, as a rule, at the end of the year. If you don’t want to wait that long, you can purchase it already mature plant in a pot containing fruit. Although they look very appetizing, it is not recommended to use them for food. Still, such tangerines are largely decorative, because to grow them, fertilizers are added to the soil in large quantities. Gives additional attractiveness to the plant leathery and corrugated leaves.
Varieties for growing at home
Before growing tangerine at home, you must first decide on a suitable variety.
Mandarin: home care
In order for home-grown tangerines to give you tasty and beautiful fruits, you need to properly find a place for it and take care of creating optimal lighting.
Lighting
The presence of good lighting is one of the determining conditions that must be met regardless of the growing conditions of the tangerine. Tangerines grow best when exposed to a small amount of direct sunlight. If the plant does not have enough lighting, this will affect its growth, the number of flowers formed will be small, and in some cases the plant will not be able to enter the flowering phase at all.
Also, a lack of lighting affects the leaves, which take on a faded appearance; the emerging shoots begin to thin out, acquiring painful condition. For this reason, it is advisable to choose windows facing the east, southeast or south side. At the same time, he needs to provide artificial shade from the midday sun. With the onset of summer, the decorative tangerine can be placed on the balcony for a while, helping it adapt to natural conditions.
The tangerine tree is cared for somewhat differently in winter, when the length of daylight hours is reduced. For plants, it is necessary to choose the most illuminated area, which receives direct sunlight. However, this does not always provide sufficient lighting. In this case, you have to use artificial lighting. You can make up for the lack of lighting with an ordinary phytolamp, which is connected to a chandelier or table lamp. You should start adding light to the plants little by little. If the duration of daylight hours is immediately increased sharply, this can lead to plants shedding leaves.
Content temperature
For normal height decorative tangerine needs to be provided with a temperature in the range plus 20-25 degrees Celsius. When the tangerine enters the flowering phase, it is advisable to maintain the temperature at a level of up to 20 degrees to avoid the flowers falling off. In winter, plants need to create conditions for less active growth, so the optimal temperature for it will be in the range of 5-10 degrees. This regime allows the plant to accumulate enough strength over the winter to actively enter the flowering and fruiting phase with the onset of spring.
How to water and spray tangerines at home?
A tangerine tree grown on a windowsill has the ability, borrowed from its wild ancestors, to withstand long periods of drought. If the plant does not receive moisture for too long, this will lead to shedding of leaves, which will reduce the volume of evaporated liquid. Owners who decide to grow indoor tangerines have great difficulties with watering. It is necessary to select the correct rate of water consumption, since when high humidity there is a danger of developing fungal diseases.
For correct calculation the volume of water for watering a tangerine tree, the following factors must be taken into account:
- plant size;
- volume of container used for growing tangerine;
- temperature environment;
- length of daylight and lighting intensity.
As the leaf surface of a houseplant increases, amount of moisture evaporated, therefore such plants must be provided with moisture larger volume. In addition, the rate of evaporation depends on the ambient temperature: as it increases, plants begin to release more moisture. Also, the volume of liquid evaporated depends on the length of daylight hours. Throughout the day, the tangerine tree has open stomata, which are formations located below the ground part, which are necessary for gas exchange.
Most the right time The best time to water indoor plants is the first half of the day, since this is the time of day when plant activity peaks. Particular attention should be paid to the ambient temperature: as it decreases, the frequency of watering is reduced. In some cases, it is enough to water the tangerine once every few days if the temperature remains stable. within + 12… +15 degrees Celsius. In such conditions, plants only need a small amount of moisture to maintain their vital functions.
One of the recommended procedures that has a positive effect on the development of the tangerine tree is spraying the leaves. In conditions low humidity air, the tangerine begins to feel uncomfortable, which may result in the risk of the plant becoming infected with spider mites. Therefore, during flowering, it is necessary to avoid getting moisture on the flowers.
How to feed tangerines at home?
In order for the tangerine tree not only to grow well, but also to bear fruit, it requires care, which includes the addition of mineral and organic fertilizers. Since a container with soil is used for growing, which contains an extremely small amount useful elements, when watering, all these elements are washed away. Good food for tangerines can be: soluble or dry fertilizers.
You can start feeding indoor plants already in the first days of spring, when the length of daylight hours begins to increase. Moreover, the first portions should be small, which must be increased over time. This moment must be taken Special attention, because exactly in early spring There is an active development of vegetative and generative buds.
For their normal formation, the tangerine tree needs to be provided with additional nutrients. When growing plants in room conditions Fertilizers are applied according to the same scheme as for other indoor plants. Mandarin oranges should be fed in the first half of the day. The recommended ambient temperature for this procedure is no higher than + 18… +19 degrees.
Conclusion
Mandarin is exotic plant for our country, however, many owners have long learned to grow it at home. Many people are attracted to these evergreen plants not only by their orange-red fruits, but also fragrant aroma, which comes from flowers. Growing decorative tangerine indoors is not as difficult a task as it might seem at first glance. The main thing you need to take care of is to create optimal conditions for normal growth and development. With proper care, very soon the tangerine will delight you with bright and beautiful fruits.
Most florists agree that among the abundance of “house” plants, indoor mandarin occupies a special place. Ornamental shrub not only pleases the eye with the bright, cheerful colors of leaves and fruits, but also has a beneficial effect on the atmosphere in the home. It has been proven that the subtle, light aroma helps get rid of headaches, relieves irritation, anxiety, gives a feeling of cheerfulness, and improves mood. In addition, growing tangerines at home does not require a lot of effort, and this is also one of the important advantages.
How to turn a tiny seed into a flowering tree?
The simplest and easy way To become the owner of a spectacular tangerine tree - buy a ready-made seedling in the store. However, it is much more interesting and, importantly, economical to grow a tangerine tree yourself from an ordinary seed.
In order for the plant to take root well, you need to take seeds of ripe, juicy, large fruits. It is advisable to have more seeds (10-12 pieces), so the chance of success of the “event” will be much higher!
Before planting seeds in soil (purchased or “mined” from personal plot), you need to place them in humid environment(it is better to wrap it in clean gauze and lightly moisten it with water). During this time, the seeds will swell and tiny sprouts will hatch on them. When this happens, it’s time to start planting the plant directly in the ground.
Despite the fact that indoor mandarin is unpretentious to the type of soil, experts still recommend approaching this issue responsibly. So, optimal solution will independently prepare a special mixture (if possible), which will include the following components:
- leaf soil - 1 part;
- turf soil - 3 parts;
- rotten cow dung- 1 part;
- clay;
- sand.
Drainage is placed at the bottom of a clean, dry container (as a rule, small ordinary pebbles or expanded clay act as drainage), after which the pot is filled with a thoroughly mixed composition of the above components. The swollen seeds are placed in the soil to a depth of 5-7 cm. It is recommended to place the container with the planted seeds in a well.
Direct sunlight should be avoided, as newly emerging, fragile sprouts can simply burn!
Homemade tangerine - care and nutrition
About three weeks after planting in the ground, the first shoots should appear from the seed of the tangerine tree. From this moment you can start feeding the plant, since the mineral and organic substances originally contained in the soil are quickly washed out as a result regular watering. In specialized flower shops You can easily select mixtures for fertilizing and feeding citrus fruits.
Particular attention should be paid to fertilizer spring period when indoor tangerine develops most intensively. Like most indoor plants, the tree needs to be fertilized in the first half of the day, and the temperature should vary between 18-20°C. The composition of the fertilizer may be different, but components such as phosphorus, potassium and nitrogen must be present.
Under no circumstances should you violate the recipe for preparing a nutritional mixture or solution. The manufacturer always indicates on the packaging in what proportions to use this or that product. An irrational approach to feeding tangerines can lead to burns of the stem, leaves, or even complete death of the plant.
The period of intensive growth of indoor tangerine is considered to be from March to September. The optimal frequency of feeding is 2 times a week. The plant will definitely “thank you” with lush, fragrant flowers and beautiful fruits if the owner combines mineral and organic fertilizers(for example, rotted cow dung).
Basic rules for caring for a tangerine tree
All plants love care and attention, and tangerine is no exception. How to care for indoor tangerine so that the tree is healthy, strong and beautiful? Professional florists highlight several main points in the rules of care:
- Partial removal of flowers young plant. This is done in order not to deplete the tree during the process of intensive growth. Even if only a few flowers remain on the stem, they will later produce beautiful, large fruits.
- Timely removal of elongated branches and dried leaves.
- Pinching the tops of the branches. This is necessary for the tree to form a lush, dense crown.
When fruits are set on the branches of a tree, it is recommended to tie the stem and branches of the plant to a support.
What can pose a threat to the tangerine tree?
Good care is sometimes not enough for a long “life” of citrus fruits; in no case should such a threat as pests be ignored. Small, almost invisible red spider mites, citrus whiteflies or scale insects can cause great harm for a plant. To prevent the death of the tangerine tree, at the slightest suspicion of pests, you need to wipe all the leaves with special solutions (Fitoverm, Actellik, etc.). A few procedures are enough, and all unwanted “guests” will disappear.
Which varieties are suitable for growing at home?
Among the most popular varieties tangerine tree, ideal for home grown, the following can be distinguished:
- Shiva-Mikan
- Unshiu
- Clementine
- Marcotte
Each of these varieties has its own specifics, but in any case, the owner of the plant will be provided with spectacular flowers with a pronounced aroma and sweet, ripe fruits.
How to grow a tangerine from a seed at home - video